NBA Insider Reveals Which Two Teams Pursued Celtics’ Anfernee Simons Over Summer

It’s been nearly five months since Anfernee Simons was acquired by the Boston Celtics and despite persistent trade rumors, the guard remains a member of the organization.

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto revealed details on Wednesday regarding how close the Celtics were to actually moving Simons over the offseason.

“Over the summer, the Brooklyn Nets and Celtics discussed several trade scenarios involving Simons that ultimately fell through, league sources told HoopsHype,” the senior NBA insider wrote. “The Milwaukee Bucks also kept tabs on Simons, HoopsHype has learned.”

Simons has played in each of the team’s first 17 games, all off the bench, and is averaging 14.4 points, 2.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 24.9 minutes per contest. While all of those averages are his lowest in five years, Simons is also shooting a career-best 44.8% from the field and 41.1% on three-pointers.

Scotto added that a Simons trade still isn’t out of the question, but there are potential roadblocks. The former Portland Trail Blazer is in the final year of his contract worth $27.68 million.

“The Celtics are under no pressure to reduce their current luxury tax bill, which they’ve budgeted for, but wouldn’t mind going below the tax for the right deal, league sources told HoopsHype. Getting below the luxury tax entirely could conceivably be achieved by trading guard Anfernee Simons or shedding the salaries of Sam Hauser and another minimum-salary player,” he wrote. “With that in mind, Boston hasn’t shown a willingness to attach a first-round pick to trade Simons’ expiring contract, league sources told HoopsHype.”

The trade chatter surrounding Simons doesn’t seem likely to disappear anytime soon, but thus far, he hasn’t let the rumors impact his play.